§ MR. W. S. B. M'LAREN (Cheshire, Crewe)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has observed the statement in The Egyptian Gazette of 10th May, 1893, that a Draft Decree dealing with the question of the control of public morality, with special reference to the class of European women who are allowed a licence in Cairo and Alexandria, has been drawn up by the Legal Officers of the Public Security Division; and whether, at the above date, it was under consideration by the Court of Appeal of the Mixed Tribunals; whether that Decree is still under their consideration, or whether it has been confirmed; whether, in either case, he will lay it upon the Table of the House; and, if it is not yet confirmed, whether he will have it delayed till it has been laid upon the Table, and time been given for its consideration?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)No information on the subject has reached Her Majesty's Government, and they cannot control, and are not responsible for, the action of the Mixed Tribunals. Regulations such as are referred to appear to be proper matter for arrangement between the Egyptian Government and the Mixed Tribunals; and we could not lay a Draft Decree belonging to the Egyptian Government upon the Table of the House, or delay its consideration.
§ MR. W. S. B. M'LARENCan the hon. Baronet say if the Decree has been confirmed?
§ SIR E. GREYI must ask the hon. Member to defer that question.